John Robins (prophet) facts for kids

John Robins was an English religious leader and prophet who lived in the 1600s. He was part of a group called the Ranters. He was put in prison for his ideas, but he was later set free after he changed his mind about some of his teachings.

Early Life and Beliefs

Robins did not have much formal education. He said that his knowledge of languages like Hebrew and Greek came to him through inspiration. He used to be a small farmer who owned land. He sold his farm and moved to London with his wife, Mary.

In London, around 1650, people like Lodowicke Muggleton and John Reeve knew about him. Robins claimed to be more important than a regular prophet. His followers even called him "the Ranters' god" and "the Shakers' god." They believed he was a very special, almost divine, person.

Robins believed he had appeared on Earth before. He said he was the biblical figures Adam and Melchizedek. He also claimed he could bring people back from the dead.

His Teachings and Plans

Robins had a big plan to lead 144,000 people to the Holy Land. He chose a man named Joshua Garment to help him, like Moses in the Bible. To prepare for this journey, his followers ate a very strict vegetarian diet. They ate only dry bread, raw vegetables, and drank water.

Robins also told his followers that he would lead them to the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem. There, he promised to feed them with special food called manna from heaven. He even said he would part the water of the English Channel. This way, his followers could walk across dry land to safety and happiness.

Imprisonment and Release

On May 24, 1651, Robins, his wife, and eight followers were arrested. This happened during a meeting in London. They were sent to a prison called the New Bridewell in Clerkenwell. Three more of his followers were also sent there.

For three days, many people came to the prison to talk with them. Robins eventually said that his special powers came from inspiration, not that he was divine. He also said his hope for salvation came from Jesus. His followers, however, still believed in his higher claims.

Robins stayed in prison for over ten months. In February 1652, two prophets, Reeve and Muggleton, visited him. They told him he was wrong. Robins later said he felt a strong urge to change his mind. About two months later, he wrote a letter to Oliver Cromwell, who was the leader of England at the time. In this letter, Robins said he was taking back his earlier claims. Because of this, he was set free from prison.

After his release, Robins went back to the countryside. He bought his land back and lived a quiet life. He was not heard from again, even though he said he expected to return with greater power.

Vegetarianism

John Robins was one of the first people in England to promote vegetarianism. He believed that because he was like the "third Adam," his followers should eat only vegetables. This was like what Adam ate before the fall of man in the Bible.

Robins also said that alcohol was harmful. He told his followers to eat a strict vegetable diet and not to eat meat. He promised they would eventually be fed with manna from heaven. Sadly, some of his followers became very sick or even starved because of this strict diet.

See also

• Thomas Tany (1608 - 1659), a follower of Robins.